Context-Based Selective Downloading of Application Resources

ABSTRACT

One or more techniques and/or systems are provided for generating a bundle package, digitally signing the bundle package, selectively distributing the bundle package, and/or indexing one or more resource packages retrieved from the bundle package. That is, a bundle package (e.g., an application or game bundle package) comprises one or more app packages comprising application code configured to execute on various computing environments (e.g., operating systems, processors, etc.). The bundle package may comprise one or more resource packages comprising supplemental data used to provide optional user experience functionality for the application (e.g., French language support, high resolution textures, a gaming pad support, etc.). In this way, a client device may selectively download portions of the bundle package that may be relevant, which may mitigate download bandwidth, storage space, or resources otherwise used to obtain unnecessary portions of the bundle package (e.g., a tablet device may merely download low resolution textures).

RELATED APPLICATION

The present application is a continuation of, incorporates by referencethe entirety of, and claims priority to, U.S. patent application Ser.No. 13/905,537 filed May 30, 2013.

BACKGROUND

Many users utilize applications to perform a variety of activities, suchas checking email, playing video games, sharing photos, interactingthrough social networks, banking, and/or a plethora of other activities.Because users may execute such applications through various devicesand/or computing environments, an application developer may create anapplication deployment package that supports multiple processors,operating systems, languages, display scales, resolutions, graphicscards, etc. Thus, the application deployment package may comprise arelatively large amount of data all of which may not be used by aparticular device or computing environment. For example, a user maydownload a drawing application from an app marketplace onto a tabletdevice. The drawing application may comprise medium resolution texturesthat may work well with the tablet device, but may also comprise lowresolution textures meant for smaller smart phones and high resolutiontextures meant for personal computers. The drawing application maycomprise support for 10 languages. The tablet device may utilize themedium resolution textures and a language used by the user, but may notutilize the low resolution textures, the high resolution textures, andthe other 9 languages. Such unused features of the drawing applicationmay unnecessarily consume download bandwidth, storage space, andcomputing resources during download, deployment, and execution of thedrawing application on the tablet device.

SUMMARY

This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in asimplified form that are further described below in the detaileddescription. This summary is not intended to identify key factors oressential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended tobe used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter.

Among other things, one or more systems and/or techniques for generatinga bundle package for an application; digitally signing the bundlepackage; selectively retrieving portions of the bundle package; indexingresource packages associated with the application; and distributing andinstalling a game bundle package for a game are provided herein.

In some embodiments of generating a bundle package for an application,one or more app packages may be identified for inclusion within a bundlepackage for an application. A first app package may comprise firstapplication code (e.g., an executable binary file) configured to executeon a first computing environment, such as a particular computerarchitecture (e.g., a first processor architecture, a second, differentprocessor architecture, etc.) and/or a particular operating system(e.g., a tablet operating system, a desktop operating system, acloud-based operating system, etc.). One or more resource packages maybe identified for inclusion within the bundle package. A resourcepackage may comprise optional user experience functionality for theapplication (e.g., resolution texture data, language data, multimediaapplication program interface (API) version data such as DirectX® (markof Microsoft Corporation), region related data that may be loaded bymodern resource technology (MRT) and/or any other resources, data, etc.that may be used to facilitate tailoring a user's experience, etc.). Forexample, a first resource package may comprise first supplemental dataused to provide first user experience functionality for the application.The bundle package may be generated to comprise the one or more apppackages and the one or more resource packages. In this way, an apppackage and/or one or more resource packages may be selectivelydownloaded for installation of the application (e.g., a tablet devicemay download a first processor architecture app package and a mediumresolution texture resource package).

In some embodiments of digitally signing a bundle package, a firstdigital signature operation is performed for a bundle package associatedwith an application. The bundle package comprises a first app packageand a first resource package. In an example, the bundle packagecomprises one or more app packages and/or one or more resource packages.The digital signature operation may be performed (e.g., performed as asingle signing operation using a single digital signing certificate) todigitally sign the first app package, the first resource package, andthe bundle package. For example, the first app package is signed with afirst app package signature utilizing the digital signing certificate,the first resource package is signed with a first resource packagesignature utilizing the digital signing certificate, and the bundlepackage is signed with a bundle package signature utilizing the digitalsigning certificate. Because the digital signature operation signs thefirst app package, the first resource package, and the bundle packageusing the same digital signing certificate (e.g., and/or through asingle signing operation), a set of signature properties may be sharedby the first app package signature, the first resource packagesignature, and/or the bundle package signature (e.g., a digital signingcertificate owner, a chain certification of authority, a key usage, asignature validate date, encryption strength, and/or timestamp). In thisway, the bundle package and/or portions thereof may be selectivelyand/or separately downloaded by a client device, and authenticated bythe client device in an efficient manner based upon the shared signatureproperties.

In some embodiments of selectively retrieving portions of a bundlepackage associated with an application, a bundle package associated withan application for installation may be identified. For example, thebundle package may be associated with a photo sharing applicableavailable for download through an app marketplace. An applicabilitycontext for the application to execute on a client device may bedetermined. For example, the applicability context may specify aresolution, a screen scale, a set of languages of interest, a multimediaAPI feature set, a graphics processing unit (GPU), or other userexperience context for the client device (e.g., an applicability contextfor a smart phone of a German speaking user may differ from anapplicability context for a desktop of an English speaking user basedupon language, hardware capabilities, display capabilities, etc.). Afirst app package may be selectively retrieved from the bundle packagebased upon the first app package comprising application codecorresponding to a computing environment context (e.g., a processorarchitecture, an operating system type, etc.) specified by theapplicability context. Responsive to the applicability contextcorresponding to a first resource package within a set of resourcepackages of the bundle package, the first resource package may beselectively retrieved from the bundle package (e.g., a German languageresource package may be retrieved for the smart phone). In this way, oneor more resource packages corresponding to the applicability context maybe selectively retrieved, while resource packages not corresponding tothe applicability context are not retrieved (e.g., high resolutiongaming textures may not be retrieved for the smart phone, which, ifretrieved, may unnecessarily consume download bandwidth and/or requirestorage of portions/features of the application that are not usable bythe smart phone).

In some embodiments of indexing resource packages for an application ona client device, a first resource package and a second resource packageare identified on a client device. In an example, the first resourcepackage and the second resource package may have been selectively and/orindividually downloaded for the application, and thus may be initiallystored on the client device without a logical relationship specifyinghow the first resource package and the second resource package may beused to provide a tailored user experience for the application. Thefirst resource package comprises first supplemental data used to providefirst optional user experience functionality for the application (e.g.,one or more German text strings used to provide a German language userinterface experience for a social network app). The second resourcepackage comprises second supplemental data used to provide secondoptional user experience functionality for the application (e.g., one ormore French text strings used to provide a French language userinterface experience for the social network app).

A first resource index for the first resource package may describe firstresource data (e.g., the one or more German language strings) and/orfirst resource applicability data (e.g., use German language data todisplay text for a German speaking user) for the first resource package.A second resource index for the second resource package may describesecond resource data (e.g., the one or more French language strings)and/or second resource applicability data (e.g., use French languagedata to display text for a French speaking user) for the second resourcepackage. The first resource index and the second resource index may bemerged into a merged resource index. The merged resource index maydescribe individual resources within the first resource package and/orthe second resource package, such as the German text strings and/orFrench text strings. The merged resource index may be evaluated toselectively utilize one or more resources for execution of theapplication. In an example, a reference to the merged index may becreated within an app package for the social network app. Upon executionof the social network app using the app package, the merged index may beconsulted using the reference to identify which resources are availableand/or are relevant to execute the social network app (e.g., a welcomemessage text string in German within the first resource package may berelevant for a welcome message window for a current user who speaksGerman; a high contrast user interface element within a high contrastdisplay resource package may be relevant when a current display settingis set to a high contrast mode; etc.).

In some embodiments of distributing a game via a game bundle package, agame bundle package for a game may be generated. The game bundle packagemay comprise one or more core game packages. A first core game packagecomprises game code (e.g., an executable binary file) configured toexecuted on a first computing environment (e.g., an x86 processor). Thegame bundle package may comprise one or more resource game packages. Afirst resource game package may comprise first supplementalhardware-aware data used to provide first optional user experiencefunctionality for the game (e.g., texture imagery, terrain data,character geometry, and/or other game visualization data at a particulardisplay quality). The one or more core game packages and/or the one ormore resource game packages may be exposed for selective download and/orinstall of the game. In this way, a client device may selectivelydownload certain resource game packages that may provide a desirablegaming experience on the client device (e.g., a tablet device maydownload medium quality textures to conserve download bandwidth and/orstorage space, whereas a PC may download high quality textures).

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, the followingdescription and annexed drawings set forth certain illustrative aspectsand implementations. These are indicative of but a few of the variousways in which one or more aspects may be employed. Other aspects,advantages, and novel features of the disclosure will become apparentfrom the following detailed description when considered in conjunctionwith the annexed drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary method of generatinga bundle package for an application.

FIG. 2 is a component block diagram illustrating an exemplary system forgenerating a bundle package.

FIG. 3 is an illustration of an example of facilitating a resourcepackage creation transaction.

FIG. 4 is a component block diagram illustrating an exemplary system forselectively distributing portions of a bundle package.

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary method of digitallysigning a bundle package.

FIG. 6 is a component block diagram illustrating an exemplary system forsigning a bundle package utilizing an extraction technique.

FIG. 7 is a component block diagram illustrating an exemplary system forcreating a signed bundle package from a new bundle package.

FIG. 8 is a component block diagram illustrating an exemplary system fordigitally signing packages within a bundle package in-place.

FIG. 9 is a component block diagram illustrating an exemplary system fordistributing a signed bundle package and/or signed packages therein.

FIG. 10 is a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary method ofselectively retrieving portions of a bundle package associated with anapplication.

FIG. 11 is a component block diagram illustrating an exemplary systemfor selectively retrieving portions of a bundle package associated withan application.

FIG. 12 is a component block diagram illustrating an exemplary systemfor selectively retrieving portions of a bundle package associated withan application.

FIG. 13 is a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary method of indexingresource packages for an application on a client device.

FIG. 14 is a component block diagram illustrating an exemplary systemfor indexing resource packages for an application on a client device.

FIG. 15 is a component block diagram illustrating an exemplary systemfor utilizing a merged index during execution of an application.

FIG. 16 is a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary method ofdistributing a game via a game bundle package.

FIG. 17 is a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary method of installinga game via a game bundle package.

FIG. 18 is a component block diagram illustrating an exemplary systemfor distributing a game via a game bundle package.

FIG. 19 is an illustration of an exemplary computer readable mediumwherein processor-executable instructions configured to embody one ormore of the provisions set forth herein may be comprised.

FIG. 20 illustrates an exemplary computing environment wherein one ormore of the provisions set forth herein may be implemented.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The claimed subject matter is now described with reference to thedrawings, wherein like reference numerals are generally used to refer tolike elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes ofexplanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to providean understanding of the claimed subject matter. It may be evident,however, that the claimed subject matter may be practiced without thesespecific details. In other instances, structures and devices areillustrated in block diagram form in order to facilitate describing theclaimed subject matter.

As provided herein software components, such as resource packages, apppackages, etc., may be selectively provided, with little to noduplication, to an end user machine, such that the end user machine ismerely provided with software components used by the end user machinewithout the end user machine having to download, store, and/or installunnecessary software components. For example, end user machines, such asclient devices, may comprise a wide variety of software and/or hardwarecharacteristics (e.g., a tablet may comprise a processor, operatingsystem, graphics processing unit, and/or a variety of characteristicsthat are different than a desktop gaming device). To provide a desirableexperience on such client devices, many apps may customize applicationassets (e.g., textures, strings, images, user interface elements, and/orother software components of a particular app) for respective clientdevices. Unfortunately, this may be problematic for developers and/orusers because a developer may spend substantial time and/or resourcescreating separate installation packages for such a large variety ofclient devices. Alternatively, the developer may create a singleinstallation package that comprises all of the applications assets,which may place the burden on the user and/or client device to downloadand/or store an abundance of application assets where merely a (e.g.,small) portion of the application assets are utilized by the clientdevice.

Accordingly, as provided herein, for respective application assets of anapp (e.g., assets within resource packages and/or app packages), adeveloper may identify characteristics of a client device that may beused to select software components for download to the client device(e.g., selectively download resource packages and/or app packages). Inan example, app packages may comprise app binaries and/or executablesthat may depend on architecture of CPUs in client devices (e.g., x86,x64, etc.). In another example, graphics resource packages may comprisetexture and/or shader application assets that may depend on a level orgeneration of graphics processing units in client devices (e.g., a DX9,DX10, or DX11). In another example, user interface resource packages maycomprise dialog boxes and/or other user interface element assets thatmay depend on display resolution of client devices (e.g., monitor DPIsuch as 96*1.0, *1.4, or *1.8). In another example, texture resourcepackages may comprise instructional assets that may depend on languagesof client devices.

The developer may submit the application assets, and may label theapplication assets by characteristics of client devices. A softwaredistribution system may on-board such information from the developer forretrieval by client devices. When an installation occurs on a clientdevice, device characteristics of the client device are identified. Aninstaller may install a set of application assets (e.g., comprisedwithin one or more resource packages) that match the devicecharacteristics of the client device, and may refrain from installingapplication assets that do not match. In this way, the developer maymerely provide an application asset once for installation by clientdevices, and the user may merely download and/or install applicationassets on the client device that are to be used by the client device.

An embodiment of generating a bundle package for an application isillustrated by an exemplary method 100 of FIG. 1. At 102, the methodstarts. At 104, one or more app packages may be identified for inclusionwithin a bundle package for an application. For example, a first apppackage may comprise first application code configured to execute on afirst computing environment (e.g., a first processor type, a tabletoperating system, etc.), a second app package may comprise secondapplication code configured to execute on a second computing environment(e.g., a second processor type, a desktop operating system, etc.), etc.In this way, the application may support various computing environmentssuch as computer architectures or operating systems based upon the oneor more app packages. In an example, an app package may comprise anexecutable binary file that may be executed to run a core version of theapplication on a client device. Because the application may support awide variety of optional user experience functionality for theapplication, such functionality may be separated out from the one ormore app packages, and may be exposed for selective and/or optionaldownload separate from the application code. In this way, the clientdevice may merely download optional functionality that may be relevantto the client device or user of the client device (e.g., support for aparticular language of the user, high resolution textures for a gamingdevice, low resolution textures for a tablet device, etc.). Accordingly,such optional user experience functionality may be provided throughresource packages.

At 106, one or more resource packages may be identified for inclusionwithin the bundle package. For example, a first resource package maycomprise first supplemental data (e.g., texture data, icon data, stringsin a particular language, multimedia API functionality, images at aparticular resolution, etc.) used to provide first optional userexperience functionality for the application; a second resource packagemay comprise second supplemental data used to provide second optionaluser experience functionality for the application; etc. It may beappreciated that a resource package is not limited to the examplesprovided herein, and that a resource package may comprise a wide varietyof any one or more resources, such as may be related to language,display functionality, hardware functionality, software functionality,user interface functionality, and/or any other functionality that may beused to tailor a user's experience (e.g., any data that may be loaded bymodern resource technology, etc.). In an example, a resource package maycomprise optional language user experience functionality for theapplication. In another example, a resource package may compriseoptional user experience functionality that may be tailored to a user(e.g., a preferred user input mode, a high contrast setting, a locationof the user, etc.). In another example, a resource package may compriseoptional display quality user experience functionality for theapplication (e.g., resolution data, screen scale data, multimedia APIdata, etc.). In another example, the resource package may compriseoptional hardware-aware functionality that may depend upon hardwarecapabilities of a client device (e.g., image capture functionality for aclient device comprising a camera, audio functionality for a clientdevice comprising a microphone or headset, wireless functionality for aclient device comprising a wireless peripheral, etc.). In anotherexample, the resource package comprises content associated with multipleuser experience functionality (e.g., a high resolution German image; ahigh contrast interactive user interface element that utilizes a DX9functionality set; etc.).

In some embodiments, a resource package may be automatically generatedfor the application. For example, an app package may be parsed toidentify a first set of optional data from the first app package (e.g.,the application may natively provide strings in English, but may alsocomprise strings in French as optional language support). The first setof optional data may be extracted from the first app package. A resourcepackage may be generated based upon the first set of optional data, suchas a French language resource package. In an example, a resource package(e.g., automatically generated or not) may comprise multiple instancesof a type (e.g., an English language resource package, a United StatesEnglish language resource package and/or British English languageresource package, etc.).

At 108, the bundle package may be generated to comprise the one or moreapp packages and/or the one or more resource packages. In an example,the bundle package, the one or more app packages, and/or the one or moreresource packages may be digitally signed with a digital signingcertificate (e.g., during a single digital signing operation) such thatthe packages may share a set of signature properties (e.g., a digitalsigning certificate owner, a chain certification of authority, a keyusage, a signature validation date, a signature encryption strength, asignature timestamp, etc.), which may allow a client device toefficiently verify the packages regardless of whether the packages wereselectively and/or individually downloaded. In an example, a bundlemanifest may be generated for inclusion within the bundle package. Thebundle manifest may comprise one or more app descriptions for the one ormore app packages and/or one or more resource descriptions for the oneor more resource packages. In an example, the bundle package may beupdated to add, remove, and/or modify app packages and/or resourcepackages therein. For example, a bundle update may be received for thebundle package. The bundle update may comprise a new resource packagefor inclusion within the bundle package. The bundle package may beupdated to comprise the new resource package, and the bundle manifestmay be updated to specify that the new resource package is available foroptional retrieval. In an example where the bundle package was certifiedby an app marketplace certification process (e.g., an automated and/ormanual testing process to verify correct functionality and/or compliancewith the app marketplace), merely the new resource package may becertified, as opposed to re-certifying the bundle package.

The bundle package may be exposed for selective download through an appmarketplace. For example, the one or more resource packages may beexposed as optional downloads for the application. That is, an apppackage may be downloaded for installation of the application on aclient device, and one or more resource packages may be optionallydownloaded or deployed to provide optional user experiencedfunctionality for the application (e.g., support for a French language).Accordingly, a bundle acquisition request may be received from a clientdevice. In an example, a bundle acquisition request may specify a firstapp package. The first app package may be selectively provided to theclient device for installation. In an example, the bundle acquisitionrequest may specify a second resource package within the bundle package.The second resource package, but not a first resource package, may beselectively provided from the bundle package to the client device forinstallation of the application. In another example, the bundleacquisition request specifies a subset of resource packages comprisedwithin the bundle package. The subset of resource packages may specifyat least some but fewer than all of the one or more resource packageswithin the bundle package. In this way, the subset of resource packagesmay be selectively provided from the bundle package to the client devicefor installation of the application. At 110, the method ends.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a system 200 for generating a bundlepackage 208. The system 200 may comprise a bundle generation component206. The bundle generation component 206 may be configured to identifyone or more app packages for an application (e.g., app package data 202provided by an app developer of a drawing application). The bundlegeneration component 206 may be configured to identify one or moreresource packages for the application (e.g., resource package data 204provided by the app developer or another source, such as a resourcepackage developer). In an example, the bundle generation component 206may parse an app package to identify optional data that may be extractedand/or used to generate a resource package. For example, an app packagemay be parsed to identify a feature set of a multimedia API version 2.2that may provide optional display functionality for the drawingapplication, and thus a resource package may be created for the featureset.

The bundle generation component 206 may generate the bundle package 208for the drawing application to comprise one or more app packages and/orone or more resource packages. For example, the bundle package 208 maycomprise a first app package 210 comprising application code configuredto execute on a first processor architecture, a second app package 212comprising application code configured to execute on a second processorarchitecture, a third app package 214 comprising application codeconfigured to execute on a cloud operating system, and/or other apppackages configured to execute on various computer architectures and/oroperating systems, for example. The bundle package 208 may comprise afirst resource package 216 comprising German language strings, a secondresource package 218 comprising French language strings, a thirdresource package 220 comprising medium quality resolution imagery at1440×900 (e.g., or a medium quality pixel density), a fourth resourcepackage 222 comprising high quality resolution imagery at 1920×1080(e.g., a high quality pixel density), a fifth resource package 224comprising the feature set of the multimedia API version 2.2 (e.g., thefifth resource package 224 may be automatically generated based upon theoptional display functionality extracted from the app package), and/orother resource packages comprising supplemental data used to provideoptional user experience functionality for the drawing application. Thebundle generation component 206 may generate a bundle manifest 226describing the one or more app packages and/or the one or more resourcepackages available through the bundle package 208. In this way, thebundle package 208 may be exposed for selective download of the bundlepackage 208 or portions therein for installation of the drawingapplication (e.g., FIG. 4).

FIG. 3 illustrates an example 300 of facilitating a resource packagecreation transaction. That is, an app developer of an application (e.g.,a drawing application developer 302 of a drawing application) may createan app package comprising application code configured to execute thedrawing application in English. The app package may be certified throughan app marketplace certification process, and thus may be bundled into abundle package and exposed through an app marketplace for download. Inan example, the drawing application developer 302 may desire to have thedrawing application accessible to Spanish speaking users, but may lackthe resources to perform such a translation. Accordingly, a resourcepackage outsourcing interface 306 may be exposed to the drawingapplication developer 302 (e.g., the drawing application developer 302may access a website that may host the resource package outsourcinginterface 306).

A resource package creation request 304 may be received from the drawingapplication developer 302 (e.g., a solicitation for creation of aSpanish language resource package). The resource package creationrequest 304 may be exposed to a plurality of resource package developersthrough the resource package outsourcing interface. For example, aresource package developer (A) 308, a resource package developer (B)310, and a resource package develop (C) 312 may access the resourcepackage creation request 304 through the website hosting the resourcepackage outsourcing interface 306. One or more resource package creationbids may be received through the resource package outsourcing interface306 (e.g., a resource package creation bid (A) 314 from the resourcepackage developer (A) 308 and a resource package creation bid (B) 316from the resource package developer (B) 310). Responsive to a selectionof a resource package creation bid (e.g., selection of the resourcepackage creation bid (B) 316), the resource package creation transactionmay be facilitated between the drawing application developer 302 and theresource package developer (B) 310 (e.g., a payment transaction and/or atransfer of a Spanish language resource package may be facilitated). Inthis way, the Spanish language resource package may be received from theresource package developer (B) 310 for inclusion within the bundlepackage for the drawing application.

FIG. 4 illustrates an example of a system 400 for selectivelydistributing portions of a bundle package 208. The system 400 maycomprise an app distribution component 402 configured to expose one ormore app packages (e.g., a first app package 210, a second app package212, a third app package 214, etc.) and/or one or more resource packages(e.g., a first resource package 216 for German language strings, asecond resource package 218 for French language strings, a thirdresource package for medium resolution textures at 1440×900, a fourthresource package for high resolution textures at 1920×1080, a fifthresource package for a multimedia API version 2.2, etc.) for selectivedownload and/or deployment of a drawing application on a client device406. For example, the app distribution component 402 may expose a bundlemanifest 226 to the client device, such as a tablet device that nativelysupports a 1440×900 resolution and is used by a German speaking user.The bundle manifest 226 may describe the bundle package 208 such as theone or more app packages and/or the one or more resource packages.

In an example, a bundle acquisition request is received from the clientdevice 406. The bundle acquisition request may specify the second apppackage 212 because the client device 406 has a second processorarchitecture that can execute the drawing application using the secondapp package 212. The bundle acquisition request may specify the firstresource package 216 because the user speaks German. In an example, thebundle acquisition request does not specify the second resource package218 so that the client device 406 does not consume download bandwidth,storage space, and/or computing resources that would otherwise be usedto download and deploy the second resource package 218 for the Frenchlanguage not spoken by the user. The bundle acquisition request mayspecify the third resource package 220 because the client device 406natively supports 1440×900 resolution. In an example, the bundleacquisition request does not specify the fourth resource package 222 sothat the client device 406 does not consume download bandwidth, storagespace, and/or computing resources that would otherwise be used todownload and deploy the fourth resource package 222 for a resolution notsupported by the client device 406. In this way, the app distributioncomponent 402 selectively provides 404 the second app package 212, thefirst resource package 216 and/or the third resource package 220 fromthe bundle package 208 to the client device 406 for installation of thedrawing application.

An embodiment of digitally signing a bundle package is illustrated by anexemplary method 500 of FIG. 5. At 502, the method starts. A bundlepackage for an application may comprise one or more app packages and/orone or more resource packages. An app package may comprise applicationcode that may be executed to run the application in a particularcomputing environment (e.g., a first app package may comprise anexecutable binary file that may be executed by a mobile operating systemand/or a second processor architecture). A resource package may comprisesupplemental code configured to provide optional user experiencefunctionality for the application. In an example, a first resourcepackage may comprise strings in a German language. In another example, adisplay resource package may comprise resolution data, screen scaledata, multimedia API version data, and/or other data that may provide atailored visual experience for the application. Because the bundlepackage, the one or more app packages, and/or the one or more resourcepackages may be selectively and/or individually downloaded by a clientdevice for installation (e.g., a client device may download the firstapp package and a second resource package comprising strings in a Frenchlanguage, but may not download the first resource package because a userof the client device does not speak German), a digital signing operationmay be performed that signs the bundle package, the one or more apppackages, and/or the one or more resource packages with digitalsignatures having similar signature properties (e.g., a digital signingcertificate owner, a chain certification of authority, key usage,signature validation date, signature encryption strength, signaturetimestamp, etc.). The digital signatures may be used to verify thesource of and/or the contents within the bundle package, app packages,and/or resource packages by a client device for installation of theapplication.

Accordingly, a first digital signature operation is performed for thebundle package, at 504. In an example, the first digital signatureoperation is performed through a single signing operation utilizing adigital signing certificate (e.g., the same digital signing certificatemay be used during the single signing operation to sign the bundlepackage, the app packages, and/or the resource packages so that suchpackages comprise similar signature properties that may be efficientlyverified by the client device regardless of whether such packages wereseparately or individually downloaded). The first digital signatureoperation may comprise digitally signing the first app package with afirst app package signature utilizing the digital signing certificate tocreate a signed first app package, at 506. The first digital signatureoperation may comprise digitally signing the first resource package witha first resource package signature utilizing the digital signingcertificate to create a signed first resource package, at 508. At 510, asigned bundle package, signed with a bundle package signature utilizingthe signing certificate, is created (e.g., the bundle package initiallycomprising the app packages and/or resource packages may be signed; anew bundle package may be created from the signed app packages andsigned resource packages and the new bundle package may be signed;etc.). A set of signature properties may be shared by the first apppackage signature, the first resource package signature, and the bundlepackage signature.

In some embodiments of signing the first app package and the firstresource package, the first app package and the first resource packagemay be extracted from the bundle package as an extracted first apppackage and an extracted first resource package. The extracted first apppackage may be digitally signed to create a signed extracted first apppackage. The extracted first resource package may be digitally signed tocreate a signed extracted first resource package. In an example, thesigned extracted first app package is returned to the bundled package asthe signed first app package, and the signed extracted first resourcepackage is returned to the bundle package as the signed first resourcepackage. In this way the bundle package may be signed to create thesigned bundle package. In another example, a new bundle package iscreated utilizing the signed extracted first app package as the signedfirst app package and the signed extracted first resource package as thesigned first resource package. The new bundle package may be signedutilizing the bundle package signature to create the signed bundlepackage. In another example, the first app package and/or the firstresource package are signed in-place while the first app package and/orthe first resource package are comprised within the bundle package.

In some embodiments of signing the one or more app packages and/or theone or more resource packages, the one or more app packages and/or theone or more resource packages may be sequentially signed using thedigital signing certificate. In some embodiments of signing the one ormore app packages and/or the one or more resource packages, the one ormore app packages and/or the one or more resource packages may be signedin parallel. In an example, the first app package and the first resourcepackage may be signed in parallel. In another example, the first apppackage and a second app package may be signed in parallel. In anotherexample, the first resource package and a second resource package may besigned in parallel.

The signed bundle package may be exposed for download through an appmarketplace. The one or more signed resource packages may be exposed asoptional downloads for the application. In an example where the signedbundle package comprises the signed first resource package and a signedsecond resource package, a bundle acquisition request may be receivedfrom a client device. The bundle acquisition request may specify thesigned first app package and the signed first resource package. Thesigned first app package and the signed first resource package, but notthe signed second resource package, may be selectively provided to theclient device for signature validation and installation of theapplication. At 512, the method ends.

FIG. 6 illustrates an example of a system 600 for signing a bundlepackage utilizing an extraction technique. The system 600 comprises adigital signature component 614. The digital signature component 614 maybe configured to perform a digital signature operation (e.g., a singlesigning operation) utilizing a digital signing certificate 616 todigitally sign the bundle package (e.g., a bundle package 602 a for avideo editor application before being digitally signed) and/or packagestherein. For example, the digital signature component 614 may extract612 a first app package 604 a, a second app package 606 a, a firstresource package 608 a, and a second resource package 610 a from thebundle package 602 a. The digital signature component 614 may digitallysign the first app package 604 a with a first app package signature 620utilizing the digital signing certificate 616 to create a signedextracted first app package. The digital signature component 614 maydigitally sign the second app packages 606 a with a second app packagesignature 622 utilizing the digital signing certificate 616 to create asigned extracted second app package. The digital signature component 614may digitally sign the first resource package 608 a with a firstresource package signature 624 utilizing the digital signing certificate616 to create a signed extracted first resource package. The digitalsignature component 614 may digitally sign the second resource package610 a with a second resource package signature 626 utilizing the digitalsigning certificate 616 to create a signed extracted second resourcepackage. In an example, the packages may be signed sequentially or inparallel.

In an example, the digital signature component 614 may return 628 thesigned extracted packages to the bundle package 602 a, and may sign thebundle package 602 a with a bundle package signature utilizing thedigital signing certificate 616 to create a signed bundle package 602 bcomprising a signed first app package 604 b, a signed second app package606 b, a signed first resource package 608 b, and a signed secondresource package 610 b. A set of signature properties (e.g., a digitalsigning certificate owner, a chain certification of authority, a keyusage, a signature validation date, a signature encryption strength, asignature timestamp, etc.) may be shared by the bundle packagesignature, the first app package signature 620, the second app packagesignature 622, the first resource package signature 624, and/or thesecond resource package signature 626. In this way, the signed bundlepackage 602 b and/or the signed packages therein by be selectivelyand/or individually downloaded and verified in an efficient manner by aclient device because the set of signature properties are shared by thepackage signatures.

FIG. 7 illustrates an example of a system 700 for creating a signedbundle package 704 from a new bundle package. The system 700 comprises adigital signature component 614. The digital signature component 614 maybe configured to perform a digital signature operation (e.g., a singlesigning operation) utilizing a digital signing certificate 616 todigitally sign the bundle package (e.g., a bundle package 602 a for avideo editor application before being digitally signed) and/or packagestherein. For example, the digital signature component 614 may extract612 a first app package 604 a, a second app package 606 a, a firstresource package 608 a, and a second resource package 610 a from thebundle package 602 a. The digital signature component 614 may digitallysign the first app package 604 a with a first app package signature 620utilizing the digital signing certificate 616 to create a signedextracted first app package. The digital signature component 614 maydigitally sign the second app packages 606 a with a second app packagesignature 622 utilizing the digital signing certificate 616 to create asigned extracted second app package. The digital signature component 614may digitally sign the first resource package 608 a with a firstresource package signature 624 utilizing the digital signing certificate616 to create a signed extracted first resource package. The digitalsignature component 614 may digitally sign the second resource package610 a with a second resource package signature 626 utilizing the digitalsigning certificate 616 to create a signed extracted second resourcepackage. In an example, the packages may be signed sequentially or inparallel.

In an example, the digital signature component 614 may create 702 a newbundle package utilizing the signed extracted packages. The new bundlepackage may be signed with a bundle package signature utilizing thedigital signing certificate 616 to create the signed bundle package 704.In this way, the signed bundle package 704 may comprise a signed firstapp package 604 b (e.g., corresponding to the first app package 604 asigned with the first app package signature 620), a signed second apppackage 606 b (e.g., corresponding to the second app package 606 asigned with the second app package signature 622), a signed firstresource package 608 b (e.g., corresponding to the first resourcepackages 608 a signed with the first resource package signature 624),and a signed second resource package 610 b (e.g., corresponding to thesecond resource package 610 a signed with the second resource packagesignature 626). In an example, the signed bundle package 704 may replacethe bundle package 602 a (e.g., the bundle package 602 a may bedeleted). A set of signature properties (e.g., a digital signingcertificate owner, a chain certification of authority, a key usage, asignature validation date, a signature encryption strength, a signaturetimestamp, etc.) may be shared by the bundle package signature, thefirst app package signature 620, the second app package signature 622,the first resource package signature 624, and/or the second resourcepackage signature 626. In this way, the signed bundle package 704 and/orthe signed packages therein by be selectively and/or individuallydownloaded and verified in an efficient manner by a client devicebecause the set of signature properties are shared by the packagesignatures.

FIG. 8 illustrates an example of a system 800 for digitally signingpackages within a bundle package 802 in-place (e.g., for a video editorapplication). The system 800 may comprise a digital signature component814. The digital signature component 814 may be configured to sign afirst app package 804 with a first app package signature, a second apppackage 806 with a second app package signature, a first resourcepackage 808 with a first resource package signature, and a secondresource package 810 with a second resource package signature in-placeutilizing a digital signing certificate 816 while such packages arecomprised within the bundle package 802. The digital signature component814 may sign the bundle package 802 with a bundle package signatureutilizing the digital signing certificate 816 to create a signed bundlepackage. Because the digital signature component 814 may sign thepackages during a digital signature operation 812 using the digitalsigning certificate 816, a set of signature properties may be shared bythe package signatures.

FIG. 9 illustrates an example of a system 900 for distributing a signedbundle package 924 and/or signed packages therein. The signed bundlepackage 924 may comprise a signed first app package 902, a signed secondapp package 904, a signed first resource package 906, and a signedsecond resource package 908. During a digital signature operation, adigital signing certificate may have be used to sign the signed bundlepackage 924 with a bundle package signature, the signed first apppackage 902 with a first app package signature 910, the signed secondapp package 904 with a second app package signature 912, the signedfirst resource package 906 with a first resource package signature 914,and the signed second resource package 908 with a second resourcepackage signature 916.

The system 900 may comprise an app distribution component 918. The appdistribution component 918 may be configured to expose the signed bundlepackage 924 and/or the signed packages therein for selective and/orindividual download by a client device, such as client device 922. Forexample, a bundle acquisition request may be received from the clientdevice 922. The bundle acquisition request may specify the signed firstapp package 902 and the signed second resource package 908. The appdistribution component 918 may send 920 the signed first app package902, the signed second resource package 908, and signatures 926 (e.g.,the bundle package signature, the first app package signature 910,and/or the second resource package signature 916) to the client device922 for verification and/or installation of an application representedby the signed bundle package 924.

An embodiment of selectively retrieving portions of a bundle packageassociated with an application is illustrated by an exemplary method1000 of FIG. 10. At 1002, the method starts. At 1004, a bundle packageassociated with an application may be identified for installation (e.g.,an app marketplace may expose the bundle package and/or portions thereinfor selective and/or individual download). The bundle package maycomprise one or more app packages comprising application code configuredto execute on various computing environments such as operating systemsor computer architectures (e.g., a first app package may comprise anexecutable binary file for a drawing application that may execute on amobile operating system) and/or one or more resource packages comprisingsupplemental data used to provide optional user experiencefunctionality. Because client devices may comprise various computingenvironments, the one or more app packages may be exposed for selectivedownload (e.g., a gaming computing device may download a second apppackage comprising a gaming-based operating system, as opposed to thefirst app package). Because the one more or resource packages maycomprise supplemental data used to provide optional user experiencefunctionality that may or may not be relevant to a client device oruser, the one or more resource packages may be exposed for selectiveand/or optional download (e.g., the gaming computing device may downloada high resolution texture resource package, but may refrain fromdownloading a low resolution texture resource package). In an example,the bundle package, the one or more app packages, and/or the one or moreresource packages may have been digitally signed with a digital signingcertificate (e.g., during a single digital signing operation) such thatthe packages may share a set of signature properties (e.g., a digitalsigning certificate owner, a chain certification of authority, a keyusage, a signature validation date, a signature encryption strength, asignature timestamp, etc.), which may allow a client device toefficiently verify the packages regardless of whether the packages wereselectively and/or individually downloaded.

At 1006, an applicability context for the application to execute on aclient device may be determined. The applicability context maycorrespond to a variety of implicit and/or explicit informationassociated with the client device and/or a user of the client device. Inan example, the applicability context may correspond to a resolution ofthe client device, a screen scale of the client device, a userexperience context for the client device (e.g., the user may specify ahigh contrast display mode, the user may install a gamepad peripheraldevice, the user may install a microphone device driver, a location ofthe user, and/or a variety of other preferences and/or contextualaspects associated with the user), a feature set of a multimedia APIavailable on the client device (e.g., a DirectX® feature set), agraphics processing unit of the client device, a visual quality contextfor the client device, a language used by the user of the client device,and/or a plethora of other information that may be used to identify userexperience functionality that may be relevant to the user and/or theclient device. In another example, the client device may be evaluated toimplicitly identify the applicability context (e.g., the user may becurrently located in France, and thus a French language context may beimplied). In another example, a user specified setting for the clientdevice may be determined as the applicability context (e.g., a highcontrast display mode set by the user). In another example, a fuzzymatching logic may be applied to information associated with the clientdevice to generate an assumption about the client device or the user asthe applicability context (e.g., a gaming graphics card and a gamingperipheral device installed by the user may be used to determine thathigh resolution textures are desired by the user). In another examplewhere multiple users may utilize the client device, a plurality of usersmay be enumerated, and the applicability context may be determined basedupon the plurality of users (e.g., a German language for a first userand a French language for a second user).

At 1008, a first app package may be selectively retrieved based upon thefirst app package comprising application code corresponding to acomputing environment context (e.g., an operating system, computerarchitecture, etc.) specified by the applicability context. In anexample, a first app package signature of the first app package may beverified (e.g., identification of an app developer of the app packageand/or verification that the first app package has not been modified).Responsive to the applicability context corresponding to a firstresource package of the one or more resource packages comprised withinthe bundle package, the first source package is selectively retrievedfrom the bundle package, at 1010. In an example, a first resourcepackage signature of the first resource package may be verified (e.g.,identification of a developer of the first resource package and/orverification that the first resource package has not been modified).Because the bundle package may comprise resource packages that do notcorrespond to the applicability context, such resource packages are notretrieved from the bundle package. For example, an applicability contextfor a smart phone may specify a relatively low resolution for the smartphone, and thus a low resolution image resource package, but not a highresolution image resource package, may be retrieved for the smart phone.

In an example, the applicability context may specify an AustralianEnglish language. Responsive to the bundle package not comprising alanguage resource package for the Australian English language, a secondlanguage resource package for a second language that corresponds to theAustralian English language above a language similarity threshold may beidentified (e.g., a British English language resource package may beidentified as being more similar to the Australian English language thana United States English language resource package). The second languageresource package, such as the British English language resource package,may be selectively retrieved. In this way, resource packages that relateto the applicability context above a similarity threshold (e.g., a “nextbest” choice) may be selectively retrieved (e.g., a visual resourcepackage that corresponds to a visual quality context of theapplicability context above a threshold). The client device may utilizethe first app package, the first resource package, and/or other packagesretrieved from the bundle package in order to install the application.

In an example, an update to the bundle package may be identified. Theupdate may correspond to an addition of a new resource package to theset of resource packages within the bundle package. Responsive to theapplicability context corresponding to the new resource package (e.g.,an Australian English language resource package), the new resourcepackage may be selectively retrieved from the bundle package. In thisway, the client device may merely obtain app packages and/or resourcepackages relevant to the client device and/or the user. At 1012, themethod ends.

FIG. 11 illustrates an example of a system 1100 for selectivelyretrieving portions of a bundle package 1110 associated with anapplication. In an example, the bundle package 1110 is associated with adrawing application. The bundle package 1110 comprises one or more apppackages and/or one or more resource packages. For example, the bundlepackage 1110 comprises a first app package 1112 for a first processortype and a second app package 1114 for a second processor type. Thebundle package comprises a first resource package for a United StatesEnglish language, a second resource package 1118 for a British Englishlanguage, a third resource package 1120 for high resolution icons, and afourth resource package 1122 for medium resolution icons. The one ormore resource packages may be exposed for selective and/or optionaldownload for the drawing application. That is, a resource package maycomprise supplemental data used to provide optional user experiencefunctionality for the application.

In an example, a client device 1102, such as a tablet device, mayidentify the bundle package 1110 for the drawing application. The clientdevice 1102 may obtain a bundle manifest 1124 describing the one or moreapp packages and/or the one or more resource packages within the bundlepackage 1110. The system 1100 may comprise an applicability component1104 configured to determine an applicability context 1106 for theclient device 1102. For example, the applicability context 1106 mayspecify that the client device 1102 has a second processor type, a userof the client device 1102 speaks Australian English, and that the clientdevice 1102 supports medium to low resolution graphics. The system 1100may comprise a retrieval component 1108 configured to retrieve 1126 anapp package and/or one or more resource packages corresponding to theapplicability context 1106. The retrieval component 1108 may refrainfrom retrieving app packages and/or resource packages that do notcorrespond to the applicability context 1106 (e.g., that do notcorrespond above a similarity threshold). In an example, the retrievalcomponent 1108 may retrieve 1126 the second app package 1114, the secondresource package 1118 (e.g., because the British English language maycorrespond to the Australian English language context above a similaritythreshold, whereas the United States English language does not), and thefourth resource package 1122 (e.g., because medium resolution icons maycorrespond to the medium to low resolution context above a similaritythreshold, whereas the high resolution icons do not) because suchpackages correspond to the applicability context 1106. In this way, theclient device 1102 may install the drawing application using theselectively downloaded packages.

FIG. 12 illustrates an example of a system 1200 for selectivelyretrieving portions of a bundle package 1110 associated with anapplication. In an example, the bundle package 1110 is associated with adrawing application. The bundle package 1110 comprises one or more apppackages and/or one or more resource packages. For example, the bundlepackage 1100 comprises a first app package 1112 for a first processortype and a second app package 1114 for a second processor type. Thebundle package 1110 comprises a first resource package 1116 for a UnitedStates English language, a second resource package 1118 for a BritishEnglish language, a third resource package 1120 for high resolutionicons, and a fourth resource package 1122 for medium resolution icons.The one or more resource packages may be exposed for selective and/oroptional download for the drawing application. That is, a resourcepackage may comprise supplemental data used to provide optional userexperience functionality for the application.

In an example, a client device 1202, such as a gaming desktop, mayidentify the bundle package 1110 for the drawing application. The clientdevice 1202 may obtain a bundle manifest 1124 describing the one or moreapp packages and/or the one or more resource packages within the bundlepackage 1110. The system 1200 may comprise an applicability component1204 configured to determine an applicability context 1206 for theclient device 1202. For example, the applicability context 1206 mayspecify that the client device 1202 has a first processor type, a userof the client device 1102 speaks English, and that the client device1202 supports high resolution graphics. The system 1200 may comprise aretrieval component 1208 configured to retrieve 1210 an app packageand/or one or more resource packages corresponding to the applicabilitycontext 1206. The retrieval component 1208 may refrain from retrievingapp packages and/or resource packages that do not correspond to theapplicability context 1206. In an example, the retrieval component 1208may retrieve 1210 the first app package 1112, the first resource package1116, and the third resource package 1120 because such packagescorrespond to the applicability content 1206. In this way, the clientdevice 1202 may install the drawing application using the selectivelydownloaded packages.

An embodiment of indexing resources within packages, such as resourcespackages and/or app packages, for an application on a client device isillustrated by an exemplary method 1300 of FIG. 13. At 1302, the methodstarts. In an example, a client device may have selectively retrieved anapp package and one or more resource packages associated with anapplication. In an example, a first app package signature of the apppackage may be verified (e.g., identification of an app developer of theapp package and/or verification that the app package has not beenmodified) and/or resource signatures of the one or more resourcepackages may be verified (e.g., identification of a developer of aresource package and/or verification that a resource package has notbeen modified). Because the one or more resource packages may have beenindividually downloaded and/or stored on the client device, it may beadvantageous to track such resource packages for utilization by theapplication during runtime. Accordingly, a first resource package and asecond resource package, for example, may be identified on the clientdevice, at 1304. The first resource package may comprise firstsupplemental data used to provide first optional user experiencefunctionality for the application (e.g., one or more high resolutionicons within a high resolution icon resource package). The secondresource package may comprise second supplemental data used to providesecond optional user experience functionality for the application (e.g.,one or more multimedia feature resources within a feature set for amultimedia API version 11). The first resource package may comprise afirst resource index describing first resource data (e.g.,identification that the first resource package comprises the one or morehigh resolution icons) and/or first resource applicability data (e.g.,identification that the high resolution icon data applies to theapplication when executed on a client device capable of displaying highresolution icon data). The second resource package may comprise a secondresource index describing second resource data (e.g., a description ofthe one or more multimedia feature resources) and/or first resourceapplicability data (e.g., identification that the feature set can beused when a client device has the multimedia API version 11 installed).

In an example, a resource package may comprise a subset of resources foran application (e.g., a Canadian English resource package may comprise afew Canadian text strings such as Colour and Favourite, while a neutralor United States English resource package comprises a plurality of textstrings for other words). In an example, a single resource package maycomprise several variants of an individual resource (e.g., a highcontrast version of a German image, a low contrast version of the Germanimage, etc.).

At 1306, the first resource index for the first resource package may bemerged with the second resource index for the second resource package tocreate a merged resource index. It will be appreciated that a mergedresource index is generally, but not always or exclusively, client side,whereas a bundle manifest is generally, but not always or exclusively,server or developer side. Additionally, a merged resource index isgenerally, but not always, used to determine which individual resourceswithin available (e.g., local) resource packages may be used duringexecution of the application, whereas a bundle manifest is generally,but not always, used to determine which app package(s) and/or whichresource package(s) to download to a client device. In an example, aplurality of resource indexes for resource packages associated with theapplication may be merged into the merged resource index such that themerged resource index may describe individual resources within theresource packages that may be loaded when executing the application(e.g., a multi-dimensional lookup may be performed within the mergedresource index to identify a set of resources, such as text strings,images, icons, etc., for execution of the application). For example, athird resource package may be retrieved from an app marketplace. Thethird resource package may comprise third supplemental data used toprovide third optional user experience functionality for the application(e.g., one or more German strings within a German language resourcepackage). In an example, during deployment of the third resource packageto the client device, a third resource index for the third resourcepackage may be merged into the merged resource index. In anotherexample, the third resource index may be merged into the merged resourceindex during an initial execution of the application. In an example, themerged resource index may comprise one or more references to resourceswithin the resource packages. In another example, a reference to themerged resource index may be created within an app package for theapplication. The app package may comprise application code for executionof the application, such that the reference may be used to access themerged resource index during execution of the application so thatindividual resources from one or more resource packages may beselectively used.

In an example, an app package associated with the application may beidentified. The app package may comprise application code configured forexecution of the application. A resource index for the app package(e.g., describing one or more resources provided by the app package) maybe merged into the merged index.

At 1308, the merged resource index may be utilized to selectively useresources from one or more packages, such as resource packages and/orapp packages, for execution of the application (e.g., a high resolutionwelcome screen image resource, a German welcome text string, etc.). Inan example, responsive to executing the application in a runtime stateutilizing the app package, the merged resource index may be evaluated toidentify a set of resources used to provide optional user experiencefunctionality for the application. In this way, the application may beinvoked to utilize the set of resource packages and/or one or moreresources therein (e.g., and/or within the app package). In an exampleof utilizing the merged resource index, a multidimensional lookup may beperformed within the merged resource index to identify an appropriateset of resources, which may be comprised within one or more resourcepackages. For example, the merged resource index may comprise a languagedimension, a resolution dimension, a screen scale dimension, a visualquality dimension, a multimedia API dimension, a supplementalfunctionality dimension, and/or a variety of other dimensions that maybe evaluated to identify resources that may be relevant to execution ofthe application on the client device (e.g., a French text stringresource and a German text string resource may be available, and theFrench text string resource may be selected over the German text stringresource because a current user of the client device prefers Frenchand/or the client device is currently located in France). In an example,the set of resources may span across all or fewer than all availableresource packages for the application (e.g., the set of resources may becomprised within a subset of resource packages identified through themerged resource index based upon the set of resources being relevant tothe client device and/or the user, such as resources corresponding to adisplay quality user experience of the client device and/or a languageof the user above a threshold correspondence). At 1310, the method ends.

In some embodiments of indexing resources for an application on a clientdevice, a resource package and an app package may be identified on theclient device. The resource package may comprise supplemental data usedto provide optional user experience functionality for the application.The app package may comprise application code (e.g., an applicationbinary) configured for execution of the application. A first resourceindex for the resource package (e.g., describing individual resourceswithin the resource package) may be merged with a second resourcepackage for the app package (e.g., describing individual resourceswithin the app package) to create a merged resource index. The mergedresource index may be utilized to selectively utilize one or moreresources within the resource package and/or the app package forexecution of the application.

FIG. 14 illustrates an example of a system 1400 for indexing resourceswithin packages, such as resource packages and/or app packages, for anapplication on a client device 1402. The client device 1402 may comprisea first resource package 1404 for a German language (e.g., one or moreGerman string resources), a second resource package 1406 for a Frenchlanguage (e.g., one or more French string resources), and/or otherresource packages, such as a resource package (N) 1408. The system 1400may comprise an indexing component 1416. The indexing component 1416 maybe configured to identify such resource packages on the client device1402. The indexing component 1416 may be configured to merge resourceindexes describing individual resources within the resource packagesinto a merged resource index 1418. For example, a first resource index1410, a second resource index 1412, and/or other resource indexes, suchas resource index (N) 1414, may be merged into the merged resource index1418. In this way, the merged resource index 1418 may describeindividual resources within the resource packages that may be availablefor utilization by the application. For example, the merged resourceindex may comprise a first reference 1420 to a German string resourcewithin the first resource package 1404, a second reference 1422 to aFrench string resource within the second resource package, and/or otherreferences to other resources within resource packages (e.g., areference 1424 to a medium resolution image resource within a thirdresource package, a reference 1426 to a high resolution image resourcewithin a fourth resource package, a reference 1428 to a low resolutionicon resource within a fifth resource package, a reference 1430 to ahigh resolution icon A within a sixth resource package; a reference 1432to a high resolution icon B within the sixth resource package; and/or areference 1434 to a high resolution icon C within the sixth resourcepackage). In an example, the indexing component 1416 may create areference within an app package 1416 for the application. In this way,during execution of the application utilizing the app package 1416, thereference may be used to access the merged resource index 1418 in orderto identify (e.g., utilizing a multi-dimensional lookup where dimensionscorrespond to various user experience functionality such as language ordisplay quality) one or more resources for use by the application.

FIG. 15 illustrates an example of a system 1500 for utilizing a mergedindex 1418 during execution of an application 1506. The system 1500 maycomprise a resource utilization component 1502. The resource utilizationcomponent 1502 may be configured to detect the application 1506 beingexecuted in a runtime state utilizing an app package. Responsive to theapplication 1506 being executed, the resource utilization component 1502may evaluate a merged resource index 1418 (e.g., merged resource index1418 of FIG. 14) to identify a set of resources that may be used toprovide optional user experience functionality for the application. Forexample, a multidimensional lookup corresponding to a languagedimension, a resolution dimension, an icon resolution dimension, and/orother dimension may be performed within the merged resource index 1418.For example, the set of resources may comprise a German string resourcewithin a first resource package for a German language (e.g., based upona language spoken by a current user), a high resolution image resourcewithin a fourth resource package for high resolution (e.g., based upon ascreen type of the client device 1420), and a high resolution iconresource within a sixth resource package for high resolution icons(e.g., based upon a graphics card of the client device 1420). In thisway, the German string resource, the high resolution image resource, andthe high resolution icon resource may be retrieved 1504 (e.g., ondemand) for utilization by the application 1506.

An embodiment of distributing a game via a game bundle package isillustrated by an exemplary method 1600 of FIG. 16. At 1602, the methodstarts. At 1604, a game bundle package for a game may be generated. Thegame bundle package may comprise one or more core game packages (e.g.,executable binary files that may be executed to play a core experienceof the game). In an example, the game bundle package may comprise afirst core game package comprising game code configured to execute on afirst computing environment (e.g., a first processor type, a particularoperating system, etc.). In another example, the game bundle package maycomprise a second core game package comprising game code configured toexecute on a second computing environment (e.g., a second processortype, a mobile operating system, etc.).

The game bundle package may comprise one or more resource game packagesthat provide optional user experience functionality for the game. In anexample, the game bundle package may comprise a first resource gamepackage comprising first supplemental hardware-aware data used toprovide first optional user experience functionality for the game. Forexample, the first supplemental hardware-aware data may correspond to afirst display quality user experience (e.g., the first supplementalhardware-aware data may comprise texture imagery, terrain data,character geometry, and/or game visualization data at a relatively highdisplay quality that may be supported by graphically capable hardwaresuch as a gaming graphics processing unit or a gaming feature set of amultimedia API such as DirectX®). In another example, the game bundlepackage may comprise a second resource game package comprising secondsupplemental hardware-aware data used to provide second optional userexperience functionality for the game. For example, the secondsupplemental hardware-aware data may correspond to a second displayquality user experience (e.g., the second supplemental hardware-awaredata may comprise texture imagery, terrain data, character geometry,and/or game visualization data at a relatively low display quality thatmay be supported by mobile device hardware such as a tablet graphicsprocessing unit or a mobile feature set of a multimedia API such asDirectX®). In an example, the game bundle package, the one or more coregame packages, and/or the one or more resource game packages may bedigitally signed with a digital signing certificate (e.g., during asingle digital signing operation) such that the packages may share a setof signature properties (e.g., a digital signing certificate owner, achain certification of authority, a key usage, a signature validationdate, a signature encryption strength, a signature timestamp, etc.),which may allow a client device to efficiently verify the packagesregardless of whether the packages were selectively and/or individuallydownloaded.

In an example, a game bundle update for the game bundle package may bereceived (e.g., addition, removal, or modification of a resourcepackage). The game bundle update may comprise a new resource gamepackage for inclusion within the game bundle package. The game bundlepackage may be updated to comprise the new resource game package. In anexample where the game bundle package was certified by an appmarketplace certification process, merely the new resource game packagemay be certified, rather than having to re-certify the entire gamebundle package.

At 1606, the one or more core game packages and/or one or more resourcegame packages may be exposed for selective download of the game. In anexample, a game bundle acquisition request may be received from a clientdevice. The game bundle acquisition request may specify the first coregame package and a subset of resource game packages (e.g., at least somebut fewer than all of the one more resource game packages within thegame bundle package). In this way, the first core game package and thesubset of resource game packages may be selectively provided to theclient device for installation of the game. At 1608, the method ends.

An embodiment of installing a game via a game bundle package isillustrated by an exemplary method 1700 of FIG. 17. At 1702, the methodstarts. At 1704, a game bundle package for a game provided through anapp marketplace may be identified. The game bundle package may compriseone or more core game packages and/or one or more resource gamepackages. The one or more resource game packages may be exposed asoptional downloads providing optional user experience functionality forthe game (e.g., support for a game pad, support for a multimedia APIversion, high resolution textures, support for a chat client, supportfor a gaming headset or other peripheral, etc.). At 1706, a bundleacquisition request may be sent to the app marketplace for access to thegame bundle package. The bundle acquisition request may specify a firstcore game package and a subset of resource game packages (e.g., thesubset of resource game packages may comprise at least some but fewerthan all of the one or more resource game packages within the gamebundle package). In an example, the subset of resource game packages maybe identified based upon hardware resources and/or multimediafunctionality of the client device, for example. At 1708, the first apppackage and the subset of resource game packages may be obtained forinstallation of the game on the client device. At 1710, the method ends.

FIG. 18 illustrates an example of a system 1800 for distributing a gamevia a game bundle package 1804. In an example, the game bundle package1804 is associated with a driving game application. A game bundlingcomponent 1802 may be configured to generate the game bundle package tocomprise one or more core game packages and/or one or more resource gamepackages. The game bundle package 1804 may comprise a first core gamepackage 1806 comprising game code configured to execute on a firstprocessor type and a second core game package 1808 comprising game codeconfigured to execute on a second processor type. The game bundlepackage 1804 may comprise one or more resource game packages thatcomprise supplemental hardware-aware data used to provide optional userexperience functionality for the game (e.g., a first resource gamepackage 1810 for high texture imagery, a second resource game package1812 for low resolution texture imagery, a third resource game package1814 for sparse terrain data, a fourth resource game package 1816 fordense terrain data, a fifth resource game package 1818 for complexgeometry, and/or other resource game packages). The game bundle packagemay be exposed for selective download of the game (e.g., the one or moreresource game packages may be exposed as optional downloads for thegame).

The system 1800 may comprise a distribution component 1820. Thedistribution component 1820 may be configured to receive a bundleacquisition request 1822 for the game bundle package 1804 from a clientdevice 1826 such as a tablet device. The bundle acquisition request 1822may specify the second core game package 1808, the second resource gamepackage 1812, and the third resource game package 1814 based uponhardware resources 1828 (e.g., a gaming peripheral, a graphics card,etc.) and/or multimedia functionality 1830 of the client device 1826(e.g., a multimedia API version, a display driver, etc.). For example,the client device 1826 may comprise a second processor type, arelatively small amount of storage space, and/or relatively lowresolution display functionality and hardware. In this way, the lowtexture imagery and the sparse terrain data may be requested by theclient device 1826 in order to reduce download bandwidth, storage space,and/or computing resources associated with obtaining and deploying thegame (e.g., unsupported high resolution visual data is not unnecessarilydownloaded). In this way, the distribution component 1820 may provide1824 the second core game package 1808, the second resource game package1812, and/or the third resource game package 1814 to the client device1826 for installation of the game.

Still another embodiment involves a computer-readable medium comprisingprocessor-executable instructions configured to implement one or more ofthe techniques presented herein. An example embodiment of acomputer-readable medium or a computer-readable device that is devisedin these ways is illustrated in FIG. 19, wherein the implementation 1900comprises a computer-readable medium 1908, such as a CD-R, DVD-R, flashdrive, a platter of a hard disk drive, etc., on which is encodedcomputer-readable data 1906. This computer-readable data 1906, such asbinary data comprising at least one of a zero or a one, in turncomprises a set of computer instructions 1904 configured to operateaccording to one or more of the principles set forth herein. In someembodiments, the processor-executable computer instructions 1904 areconfigured to perform a method 1902, such as at least some of theexemplary method 100 of FIG. 1, at least some of the exemplary method500 of FIG. 5, at least some of the exemplary method 1000 of FIG. 10, atleast some of the exemplary method 1300 of FIG. 13, at least some of theexemplary method 1600 of FIG. 16, and/or at least some of the exemplarymethod 1700 of FIG. 17, for example. In some embodiments, theprocessor-executable instructions 1904 are configured to implement asystem, such as at least some of the exemplary system 200 of FIG. 2, atleast some of the exemplary system 400 of FIG. 4, at least some of theexemplary system 600 of FIG. 6, at least some of the exemplary system700 of FIG. 7, at least some of the exemplary system 800 of FIG. 8, atleast some of the exemplary system 900 of FIG. 9, at least some of theexemplary system 1100 of FIG. 11, at least some of the exemplary system1200 of FIG. 12, at least some of the exemplary system 1400 of FIG. 14,at least some of the exemplary system 1500 of FIG. 15, and/or at leastsome of the exemplary system 1800 of FIG. 18, for example. Many suchcomputer-readable media are devised by those of ordinary skill in theart that are configured to operate in accordance with the techniquespresented herein.

Although the subject matter has been described in language specific tostructural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understoodthat the subject matter defined in the appended claims is notnecessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above.Rather, the specific features and acts described above are disclosed asexample forms of implementing the claims.

As used in this application, the terms “component,” “module,” “system”,“interface”, and/or the like are generally intended to refer to acomputer-related entity, either hardware, a combination of hardware andsoftware, software, or software in execution. For example, a componentmay be, but is not limited to being, a process running on a processor, aprocessor, an object, an executable, a thread of execution, a program,and/or a computer. By way of illustration, both an application runningon a controller and the controller can be a component. One or morecomponents may reside within a process and/or thread of execution and acomponent may be localized on one computer and/or distributed betweentwo or more computers.

Furthermore, the claimed subject matter may be implemented as a method,apparatus, or article of manufacture using standard programming and/orengineering techniques to produce software, firmware, hardware, or anycombination thereof to control a computer to implement the disclosedsubject matter. The term “article of manufacture” as used herein isintended to encompass a computer program accessible from anycomputer-readable device, carrier, or media. Of course, those skilled inthe art will recognize many modifications may be made to thisconfiguration without departing from the scope or spirit of the claimedsubject matter.

FIG. 20 and the following discussion provide a brief, generaldescription of a suitable computing environment to implement embodimentsof one or more of the provisions set forth herein. The operatingenvironment of FIG. 20 is only one example of a suitable operatingenvironment and is not intended to suggest any limitation as to thescope of use or functionality of the operating environment. Examplecomputing devices include, but are not limited to, personal computers,server computers, hand-held or laptop devices, mobile devices (such asmobile phones, Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs), media players, andthe like), multiprocessor systems, consumer electronics, mini computers,mainframe computers, distributed computing environments that include anyof the above systems or devices, and the like.

Although not required, embodiments are described in the general contextof “computer readable instructions” being executed by one or morecomputing devices. Computer readable instructions may be distributed viacomputer readable media (discussed below). Computer readableinstructions may be implemented as program modules, such as functions,objects, Application Programming Interfaces (APIs), data structures, andthe like, that perform particular tasks or implement particular abstractdata types. Typically, the functionality of the computer readableinstructions may be combined or distributed as desired in variousenvironments.

FIG. 20 illustrates an example of a system 2000 comprising a computingdevice 2012 configured to implement one or more embodiments providedherein. In one configuration, computing device 2012 includes at leastone processing unit 2016 and memory 2018. Depending on the exactconfiguration and type of computing device, memory 2018 may be volatile(such as RAM, for example), non-volatile (such as ROM, flash memory,etc., for example) or some combination of the two. This configuration isillustrated in FIG. 20 by dashed line 2014.

In other embodiments, device 2012 may include additional features and/orfunctionality. For example, device 2012 may also include additionalstorage (e.g., removable and/or non-removable) including, but notlimited to, magnetic storage, optical storage, and the like. Suchadditional storage is illustrated in FIG. 20 by storage 2020. In oneembodiment, computer readable instructions to implement one or moreembodiments provided herein may be in storage 2020. Storage 2020 mayalso store other computer readable instructions to implement anoperating system, an application program, and the like. Computerreadable instructions may be loaded in memory 2018 for execution byprocessing unit 2016, for example.

The term “computer readable media” as used herein includes computerstorage media. Computer storage media includes volatile and nonvolatile,removable and non-removable media implemented in any method ortechnology for storage of information such as computer readableinstructions or other data. Memory 2018 and storage 2020 are examples ofcomputer storage media. Computer storage media includes, but is notlimited to, RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flash memory or other memory technology,CD-ROM, Digital Versatile Disks (DVDs) or other optical storage,magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or othermagnetic storage devices, or any other medium which can be used to storethe desired information and which can be accessed by device 2012. Anysuch computer storage media may be part of device 2012.

Device 2012 may also include communication connection(s) 2026 thatallows device 2012 to communicate with other devices. Communicationconnection(s) 2026 may include, but is not limited to, a modem, aNetwork Interface Card (NIC), an integrated network interface, a radiofrequency transmitter/receiver, an infrared port, a USB connection, orother interfaces for connecting computing device 2012 to other computingdevices. Communication connection(s) 2026 may include a wired connectionor a wireless connection. Communication connection(s) 2026 may transmitand/or receive communication media.

The term “computer readable media” may include communication media.Communication media typically embodies computer readable instructions orother data in a “modulated data signal” such as a carrier wave or othertransport mechanism and includes any information delivery media. Theterm “modulated data signal” may include a signal that has one or moreof its characteristics set or changed in such a manner as to encodeinformation in the signal.

Device 2012 may include input device(s) 2024 such as keyboard, mouse,pen, voice input device, touch input device, infrared cameras, videoinput devices, and/or any other input device. Output device(s) 2022 suchas one or more displays, speakers, printers, and/or any other outputdevice may also be included in device 2012. Input device(s) 2024 andoutput device(s) 2022 may be connected to device 2012 via a wiredconnection, wireless connection, or any combination thereof. In oneembodiment, an input device or an output device from another computingdevice may be used as input device(s) 2024 or output device(s) 2022 forcomputing device 2012.

Components of computing device 2012 may be connected by variousinterconnects, such as a bus. Such interconnects may include aPeripheral Component Interconnect (PCI), such as PCI Express, aUniversal Serial Bus (USB), firewire (IEEE 1394), an optical busstructure, and the like. In another embodiment, components of computingdevice 2012 may be interconnected by a network. For example, memory 2018may be comprised of multiple physical memory units located in differentphysical locations interconnected by a network.

Those skilled in the art will realize that storage devices utilized tostore computer readable instructions may be distributed across anetwork. For example, a computing device 2030 accessible via a network2028 may store computer readable instructions to implement one or moreembodiments provided herein. Computing device 2012 may access computingdevice 2030 and download a part or all of the computer readableinstructions for execution. Alternatively, computing device 2012 maydownload pieces of the computer readable instructions, as needed, orsome instructions may be executed at computing device 2012 and some atcomputing device 2030.

Various operations of embodiments are provided herein. In oneembodiment, one or more of the operations described may constitutecomputer readable instructions stored on one or more computer readablemedia, which if executed by a computing device, will cause the computingdevice to perform the operations described. The order in which some orall of the operations are described should not be construed as to implythat these operations are necessarily order dependent. Alternativeordering will be appreciated by one skilled in the art having thebenefit of this description. Further, it will be understood that not alloperations are necessarily present in each embodiment provided herein.

Further, unless specified otherwise, “first,” “second,” and/or the likeare not intended to imply a temporal aspect, a spatial aspect, anordering, etc. Rather, such terms are merely used as identifiers, names,etc. for features, elements, items, etc. For example, a first object anda second object generally correspond to object A and object B or twodifferent objects.

Moreover, “exemplary” is used herein to mean serving as an example,instance, illustration, etc., and not necessarily as advantageous. Asused herein, “or” is intended to mean an inclusive “or” rather than anexclusive “or”. In addition, “a” and “an” as used in this applicationare generally be construed to mean “one or more” unless specifiedotherwise or clear from context to be directed to a singular form. Also,at least one of A and B and/or the like generally means A or B or both Aand B. Furthermore, to the extent that “includes”, “having”, “has”,“with”, and/or variants thereof are used in either the detaileddescription or the claims, such terms are intended to be inclusive in amanner similar to the term “comprising”.

Also, although the disclosure has been shown and described with respectto one or more implementations, equivalent alterations and modificationswill occur to others skilled in the art based upon a reading andunderstanding of this specification and the annexed drawings. Thedisclosure includes all such modifications and alterations and islimited only by the scope of the following claims. In particular regardto the various functions performed by the above described components(e.g., elements, resources, etc.), the terms used to describe suchcomponents are intended to correspond, unless otherwise indicated, toany component which performs the specified function of the describedcomponent (e.g., that is functionally equivalent), even though notstructurally equivalent to the disclosed structure which performs thefunction in the herein illustrated exemplary implementations of thedisclosure. In addition, while a particular feature of the disclosuremay have been disclosed with respect to only one of severalimplementations, such feature may be combined with one or more otherfeatures of the other implementations as may be desired and advantageousfor any given or particular application.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of selective resource downloading,comprising: determining an applicability context of a computing device,the applicability context specifying a display resolution of the device,a set of one or more user languages of the device, and a supportcapability of the device; sending the applicability context to amarketplace with a request for access to an application; downloading tothe device from the marketplace at least one resource of the applicationwhich has the specified display resolution, at least one resource of theapplication which has at least one specified user language, and at leastone resource of the application which is tailored to the specifiedsupport capability; automatically refraining from downloading to thedevice an existing but contextually unnecessary display resource of thesame application, namely, a resource which has a display resolutionother than the specified display resolution; automatically refrainingfrom downloading to the device an existing but contextually unnecessarylanguage resource of the same application, namely, a resource which hasa user language which is not in the specified set of one or more userlanguages; and automatically refraining from downloading to the devicean existing but contextually unnecessary support resource of the sameapplication, namely, a resource which requires hardware that is notpresent on the device or requires a multimedia application programinterface that is not present on the device after the downloading. 2.The method of claim 1, wherein the method comprises downloading one ofthe following listed resources and refraining from downloading the otherlisted resource: a high resolution texture, or a texture which has lowerresolution than the high resolution texture.
 3. The method of claim 1,wherein the method comprises downloading one of the following listedresources and refraining from downloading at least one of the otherlisted resources: an English language resource, a French languageresource, a German language resource, or a Spanish language resource. 4.The method of claim 1, wherein the method comprises downloading one ofthe following listed resources and refraining from downloading the otherlisted resource: a support resource which requires a first graphicsprocessing unit, or a support resource which requires a second graphicsprocessing unit that is different from the first graphics processingunit.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the method comprises downloadingone of the following listed resources and refraining from downloadingthe other listed resources: a support resource which requires a firstmultimedia application program interface, or a support resource whichrequires a second multimedia application program interface that isdifferent from the first multimedia application program interface. 6.The method of claim 1, wherein determining the applicability context ofthe computing device comprises at least one of the following: implicitlyidentifying a user language based on user location, or applying a fuzzymatching logic.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein downloading comprisesdownloading hardware-aware data including at least one of the followingkinds of data: texture imagery, terrain data, character geometry, orgame visualization data.
 8. The method of claim 1, further comprisingverifying a digital signature of at least one downloaded resource.
 9. Acomputer readable medium comprising RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flash memory orother memory technology, CD-ROM, Digital Versatile Disks (DVDs) or otheroptical storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic diskstorage or other magnetic storage devices storing instructions whichwhen executed at least in part via a processing unit perform a method ofselective downloading, the method comprising: determining anapplicability context of a computing device, the applicability contextspecifying a display contrast of the device, a graphics processinghardware of the device, and an operating system type of the device;sending the applicability context to an app marketplace with a requestfor access to an application; downloading to the device from the appmarketplace at least one resource of the application which has thespecified display contrast, at least one resource of the applicationwhich requires the specified graphics processing hardware, and at leastone package of the application which depends on the specified operatingsystem type; automatically refraining from downloading to the device anexisting but contextually unnecessary display resource of the sameapplication, namely, a resource which has a display contrast other thanthe specified display contrast; automatically refraining fromdownloading to the device an existing but contextually unnecessarygraphics processing resource of the same application, namely, a resourcewhich requires a graphics processing hardware that is not present on thedevice; and automatically refraining from downloading to the device anexisting but contextually unnecessary executable package of the sameapplication, namely, a package which requires for execution an operatingsystem type that is not present on the device.
 10. The computer readablemedium of claim 9, wherein the method comprises downloading one of thefollowing listed resources and refraining from downloading the otherlisted resources: a resource which includes a high contrast userinterface element or high contrast image, or a resource which includes alow contrast user interface element or low contrast image.
 11. Thecomputer readable medium of claim 9, wherein the method comprisesdownloading one of the following listed executable packages andrefraining from downloading at least one of the other listed executablepackages: an executable package which requires for execution a tabletoperating system; an executable package which requires for execution adesktop operating system; an executable package which requires forexecution a cloud operating system; an executable package which requiresfor execution a mobile operating system; or an executable package whichrequires for execution a gaming-based operating system.
 12. The computerreadable medium of claim 9, wherein the applicability context alsospecifies a set of one or more user languages, and the method furthercomprises downloading one of the following listed resources andrefraining from downloading at least one of the other listed resources:an English language resource, a French language resource, a Germanlanguage resource, or a Spanish language resource.
 13. A devicecomprising: a display; at least one processing unit; at least one memorystoring instructions which when executed by the at least one processingunit perform a method of selective downloading to the device, the methodincluding: determining an applicability context of the device, theapplicability context specifying at least three of the following listedcharacteristics: a display resolution of the device, a display contrastof the device, a set of one or more user languages of the device, amultimedia application program interface feature set of the device, agraphics processing hardware of the device, a peripheral of the device,a location of the user, a gaming hardware of the device, a processorarchitecture of the device, and an operating system type of the device;sending the applicability context to a marketplace with a request foraccess to an application; downloading to the device from the appmarketplace at least three resources and/or packages of the application,each of which has a characteristic specified by the applicabilitycontext; and automatically refraining from downloading to the device atleast two existing but contextually unnecessary resources and/orpackages of the same application, namely, resources and/or packageswhich each have at least one respective characteristic that is differentfrom and inconsistent with at least one characteristic specified by theapplicability context.
 14. The device of claim 13, wherein theapplicability context specifies at least four of the listedcharacteristics.
 15. The device of claim 13, wherein the applicabilitycontext specifies at least five of the listed characteristics, themethod downloads at least four resources and/or packages of theapplication, each of which has a characteristic specified by theapplicability context, and the method refrains from downloading to thedevice at least three existing but contextually unnecessary resourcesand/or packages of the same application, namely, resources and/orpackages which each have at least one respective characteristic that isdifferent from and inconsistent with at least one characteristicspecified by the applicability context.
 16. The device of claim 13,wherein the applicability context specifies at least six of the listedcharacteristics, the method downloads at least five resources and/orpackages of the application, each of which has a characteristicspecified by the applicability context, and the method refrains fromdownloading to the device at least four existing but contextuallyunnecessary resources and/or packages of the same application, namely,resources and/or packages which each have at least one respectivecharacteristic that is different from and inconsistent with at least onecharacteristic specified by the applicability context.
 17. The device ofclaim 13, wherein at least two of the downloaded resources and/orpackages share a set of signature properties, and the method furtherincludes verifying those resources and/or packages using the shared setof signature properties.
 18. The device of claim 13, wherein the deviceincludes a tablet device.
 19. The device of claim 13, wherein the deviceincludes a smart phone device.
 20. The device of claim 13, wherein thedevice includes a gaming device.